Functional identification of the promoter for the gene encoding the alpha subunit of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2026

Dissection of Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus from Adult Mouse
Published on: November 17, 2009
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas, Houston 77225.
Abstract:
To examine the expression of the alpha subunit of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, various 5' flanking genomic sequences were inserted into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmid and CAT enzyme activities were analyzed in transfected NB2a neuroblastoma cells and mRNA transcription was analyzed by nuclease protection assays. A core promoter was identified which contained an essential TATA element located 162 nt 5' to the transcription start site. Sequences 3' to the transcription start site, as well as 5' to the TATA element, increased levels of CAT activity in transfected cells. The alpha-subunit gene promoter displayed higher CAT activities, relative to a simian virus 40 promoter, in transfected neuronal cell lines than in nonneuronal cell lines. Results also suggested that sequence surrounding the natural alpha-gene transcription initiation site may be important for targeting transcription initiation 162 nt downstream of its TATA element.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Cell Specific Gene Expression
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...

